TT 2026: Schwantz Tribute, Sidecar Dominance and a Prominent Withdrawal

• Josh Brookes rides a Suzuki GSX-R750 in Kevin Schwantz tribute livery for the newly founded team Uggly & Co Racing in the Supersport class
• Sidecar record holders Ryan and Callum Crowe enter the TT 2026 as number 1 with a completely revised LCR Honda outfit
• Eight-time Sidecar World Champion Tim Reeves and his passenger Melanie Farnier have withdrawn at short notice

The Isle of Man TT 2026 runs from 25 May to 6 June on the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course. As preparations behind the TT Grandstand on Glencrutchery Road are in full swing and the first teams set up camp in the paddock, several noteworthy stories are emerging even before qualifying week begins. A new team with a connection to Grand Prix history, the dominant sidecar crew chasing more records, and a prominent withdrawal are the talk of the island.

Who is behind the new Suzuki team Uggly & Co Racing?

Uggly & Co Racing is a newly founded racing team from the motorcycle clothing brand of the same name, fielding its own machine at the TT for the first time. The team has signed Australian Josh Brookes to contest the two Monster Energy Supersport races on a new-generation Suzuki GSX-R750. It is the first time Uggly & Co have entered as a standalone team on the Mountain Course, having previously served as sponsor and supplier for teams such as TAS Racing, Milwaukee Ducati, and Carl Cox Motorsport. TT fans also know Uggly & Co from their spectator facilities at Black Dub, the fast left-right section just before Glen Helen.

For the TT debut, the GSX-R750 wears a striking livery reminiscent of the legendary Pepsi Suzuki RGV500 from 1989. The design is a tribute to Kevin Schwantz, who won the 500cc World Championship in 1993 and the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1988. The updated look features the Uggly & Co logo alongside Team Classic Suzuki branding on a white, blue, and red colour scheme.

The choice fell on a machine with a proven track record: the Suzuki GSX-R750 won the British Supersport Championship last season with Rhys Irwin.

What does Josh Brookes bring to the Supersport class?

Josh Brookes is 42 years old, a two-time British Superbike Champion, and has extensive experience in the Supersport category. He won the Australian Supersport Championship in 2004, took a wildcard victory in the Supersport World Championship, and finished third in the 2008 WSS overall standings. At the TT, Brookes has six top-10 results in the Supersport class, including two sixth-place finishes.

At the Briggs Equipment North West 200, Brookes already raced the Suzuki under the Carl Cox Motorsport/Uggly & Co Racing banner, finishing third behind Michael Dunlop and Dean Harrison in the Supersport race. Alongside his Supersport commitment, he contests the Superbike and Superstock races at the TT for DAO Racing on Honda machinery.

Brookes is optimistic about the project: “It’s a new project but an exciting one and having made my TT debut on a Suzuki back in 2013 I have high hopes for the GSX750 on the Mountain Course. Although we are a new team, we’ve got some good people involved so we hope to keep building on the package and my confidence as we get more time on the bike and then see what we can do at the TT.”

Team owner Al Morris describes the move as a result of community effort. From the outset, Uggly & Co have supported racing by being present at events and backing both up-and-coming riders and experienced champions. Fielding their own team with Brookes as rider marks a significant milestone.

Can the Crowe brothers extend their winning streak at the TT 2026?

Ryan and Callum Crowe enter the two Motul Sidecar TT races as number 1 and defending champions. The brothers from Jurby on the Isle of Man have won the last four sidecar TT races and hold the outright lap record for the class at 121.021 mph (194.8 km/h), set in the first sidecar race of 2025. That makes them the fastest driver-passenger combination in TT history.

For 2026, the Opul and Kelproperties-backed duo have prepared a comprehensively revised LCR (Louis Christen Racing) outfit with a Honda engine, developed in collaboration with Lumbley Engineering. According to the organisers, the new package represents a significant step forward from the machine with which the Crowes won back-to-back doubles in 2025. The striking black, blue, and red livery underlines the fresh start.

With four TT victories, the brothers need just one more win to equal the record of their father Nick Crowe, who has five TT victories to his name.

Ryan Crowe is confident: “We are heading into this year with a lot of confidence. What we’ve achieved over the last couple of years has been special, but at the TT you’ve always got to reset and go again. The new outfit is a big part of that, and a lot of effort has gone in behind the scenes over the winter with Lumbley Engineering.”

Callum Crowe adds: “We’re coming into 2026 with the same mentality as last year, enjoying the Mountain Course with the best team around us. The new machine is currently with Lumbley Engineering, and we have put a lot of work into making further improvements. We have made some changes that we’re confident will move us forward.”

Why has Tim Reeves withdrawn from the TT 2026?

Eight-time Sidecar World Champion Tim Reeves and his passenger Melanie Farnier have withdrawn from the TT 2026 at short notice. Reeves, who has been competing on the Mountain Course since 2008 and has one TT victory (Sidecar 1 TT Race 2013) along with seven further podium finishes, had already announced his comeback for 2026 in February after missing the 2025 TT. The pair were set to race a Carl Cox Motorsport LCR Honda as number 7.

In a statement, Reeves explained the reasons without giving specific details: “After a long and disappointing discussion we as a team and family have unfortunately had to make the decision not to compete at the 2026 Isle of Man TT. Anybody involved in racing knows how much time, effort and commitment goes into preparing for an event like this, so naturally this is hugely disappointing for everyone connected to the project.”

Reeves stresses that he is looking ahead to the rest of the season and will continue racing. The exact reasons for the withdrawal remain undisclosed.

What other changes are there at the TT 2026?

The TT 2026 brings several organisational and sporting changes. One of the most notable rule changes affects the six-lap races: newcomers are no longer permitted to enter the Superbike and Milwaukee Senior TT from this year onwards. According to the organisers, this measure is linked to enhanced efforts around rider safety and welfare.

The solo entry stands at 78 after David “Riggerz” Rigby was not cleared by TT medical officials due to a collarbone injury. The Solo Rider Liaison Officers for TT 2026 are Richard “Milky” Quayle BEM and John Barton.

There are also changes in the sidecar division: new engine regulations for the outfits, developed in collaboration with the most successful TT sidecar racer of all time Dave Molyneux, introduce restrictor plates. These are intended to reduce top speeds and bring the field closer together.

The Parc Fermé now includes the central TT team hub, an expanded number of tents for riders and teams, and stop boxes.

Three-time TT winner Davey Todd is on the island and was spotted at the Pre-TT Classic at Billown but is not competing at the TT 2026. Todd had not been medically cleared following injuries sustained during qualifying for the Daytona 200 in March.

What has become of the former Supertwin class?

The former Supertwin class has been restructured into the Carole Nash Sportbike TT for 2026. Existing Supertwin machines such as the Paton S1-R, Aprilia RS660, Kawasaki Z650, and Yamaha R7 remain eligible but are joined by additional models including the Triumph Daytona 660, the Suzuki GSX8R, and the CFMoto 675SR-R. Chinese manufacturer CFMoto is thus making its TT debut, with short-circuit team Moto Twelve running a pair of 675SR-Rs for Shaun Anderson and Jamie Cringle.

Michael Dunlop is the favourite in the Sportbike class on his Paton, having won five of the last six Supertwin races.

The TT 2026 in the context of the season

The Isle of Man TT 2026 takes place during what the organisers describe as a golden era for the event. Qualifying week begins on Monday 25 May with untimed free practice sessions and the first qualifying sessions. The first race is on Saturday 30 May with the Superstock and sidecar opener. A total of ten races will be held during race week, with Monday (1 June) and Thursday (4 June) designated as rest days. As usual, the Milwaukee Senior TT on Saturday 6 June brings the event to a close.

In the sidecar field, alongside the Crowes, at least six outfits have realistic podium chances, including Ben Birchall with his new passenger Mark Wilkes, who have set their sights on a 15th TT victory, as well as former World Champions Todd Ellis and Emmanuelle Clément.

➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: Isle of Man TT 2026: The Complete Overview – Schedule, Riders, Teams & Results. Find all key information on this topic in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions